Beauty

Drugstore Makeup Hall of Fame

Drugstore makeup brands have made disruptive strides over the last several years…

It seems illusory to think that 10 years ago, you couldn’t even walk into a drugstore and expect much from an eyeshadow palette or snag a foundation that suited your complexion. That’s not to say everything you find in that part of Walgreens or CVS is going to be a hit, but if you get your hands on the right stuff, you might just beguile yourself.

I often ramble much about Hourglass, Nars, and other prestigious brands, but I’m no label whore. I love my drugstore makeup just as much – and there’s a few things I wouldn’t even trade for something Dior or Chanel.

I’m committed to stuff that works, so today, I’m highlighting everything you need within arms reach of your local drugstore…

I use this product in the shade Brighten and it makes a close dupe for Dior SkinFlash Radiance Booster Pen – Rose Glow. Since the Dior one can get a little expensive, Maybelline’s concealer has become my default for every day wear. It’s got excellent coverage and really brightens up the eye area. My only complaint is that I wish it was a smidge more moisturizing – that won’t deter me from buying more in the future though.

I don’t toy with mascaras because it’s hard for me to find a good one. Once I find the one, I stick to it like white on rice, unless it gets disco’d. In the drugstore though, L’Oreal is a usually a safe bet for A+ mascaras so I picked this one up after the downfall of my Revlon. It’s got a unique brush that’s not encased in bristles, which made me precarious, but I’m totally sold on it now. It fills in all the little gaps between your lashes and combs right through them, building up exceptional volume. I must say I like this one more than my Revlon ex.

Everything’s better in stick form – you’ve heard me applaud this highlighter before, and I’m doing it again. When I think Beauty Icons, Drew Barrymore doesn’t typically come to mind, but man, her line disproved me in every way. First, the shade Gold Coaster is drop dead gorgeous – it’s subtle and glides on like a dream. I’ve been using this every day for the daytime, and it’s so ever faint while gleaming just enough.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Anastasia’s Brow Wiz, this is it, except your colors options are far more limited. I can get away with the shade Medium Brown. It’s got a great applicator that allows you to create faux brow hair and it’s also super forgiving if you’ve made an error – just smudge it out with your fingers. Don’t expect much out of the comb side.

This is the only drugstore powder I’ve ever bought and probably the only one I’ll continue to buy… It’s finely milled, goes on lightly, and never looks cakey. The only detractor is the smell, other than that, it’s perfecto. I’m surprised it’s not talked about more often.

Dirt cheap, but sooo good and lasts forever! I first saw this on Zanita and she was sooo gorg with it, I just knew it was a necessity. It’s a red-tone chocolatey color that goes on wicked smooth and gives the richest color ever. I’d deem it almost equivalent to Mac Lip Pencils, except WnW’s is absurdly long (in a good way obv), plus some very minor nuances. It’s perfect for all skintones, and at $1, you’re totally missing out!

When I’m in a rush, this liquid eyeliner by Maybelline is my safe haven. It’s pitch black and goes on bold as heck – one swipe is all you need. The fat marker-like tip creates the perfect winged liner every single time.

I’m always on the hunt for great products at great prices, so don’t forget to share your favorite drugstore makeup products below!